The Work Autonomy Scales: Additional Validity Evidence

Recently, Breaugh (1985) developed an instrument that measures three facets, i.e., method, scheduling, and criteria, of work autonomy. This paper presents the results of several analyses designed to evaluate the construct validity of these work autonomy scales. One set of analyses involved the use of confirmatory factor analysis to assess the underlying factor structure of the three work autonomy facet measures. Both indices for assessing the fit of a theoretical model confirmed that a three-facet autonomy model clearly fits the sample data. A second set of analyses involved subgroup comparisons. As predicted, unionized employees reported less autonomy in all three areas than non-union workers. Also as hypothesized, individuals in supervisory positions reported having more autonomy than those not in supervisory positions. The paper also reports a number of additional analyses relevant to the construct validity of the work autonomy scales. When the results reported in this paper are taken in combination with those reported in Breaugh (1985) and Breaugh and Becker (1987), there is substantial evidence supporting both the construct validity and the importance of the work autonomy facet scales.

[1]  Daniel J. Koys,et al.  The Identification and Measurement of the Dimensions of Organizational Climate. , 1980 .

[2]  J. Breaugh.  The Measurement of Work Autonomy , 1985 .

[3]  M. Schnake,et al.  AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF AFFECTIVE RESPONSE IN THE MEASUREMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE , 1983 .

[4]  Richard,et al.  Motivation through the Design of Work: Test of a Theory. , 1976 .

[5]  E. Lawler,et al.  Behavior in Organizations , 1986 .

[6]  G. Yukl,et al.  Leadership in Organizations , 1981 .

[7]  Kae H. Chung.  Motivational theories and practices , 1977 .

[8]  William H. Glick,et al.  The job characteristics approach to task design: A critical review. , 1981 .

[9]  Paul E. Spector.  Perceived Control by Employees: A Meta-Analysis of Studies Concerning Autonomy and Participation at Work , 1986 .

[10]  S. Breckler.  Empirical validation of affect, behavior, and cognition as distinct components of attitude. , 1984, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[11]  P. Lawrence,et al.  Industrial Jobs and the Worker , 1966 .

[12]  S. Lirtzman,et al.  Role Conflict and Ambiguity in Complex Organizations. , 1970 .

[13]  T. G. Cummings,et al.  Improving Productivity and the Quality of Work Life , 1980 .

[14]  P. Bentler,et al.  Significance Tests and Goodness of Fit in the Analysis of Covariance Structures , 1980 .

[15]  D. Hickson.  A Convergence in Organization Theory , 1966 .

[16]  M. Kiggundu.  Task interdependence and job design: test of a theory. , 1983, Organizational behavior and human performance.

[17]  R. Harvey,et al.  Confirmatory factor analysis of the Job Diagnostic Survey: Good news and bad news. , 1985 .

[18]  Robert Karasek,et al.  Job decision latitude and mental strain: Implications for job redesign , 1979 .

[19]  W. Holley,et al.  NEGOTIATING QUALITY OF WORKLIFE, PRODUCTIVITY AND TRADITIONAL ISSUES: UNION MEMBERS’PREFERRED ROLES OF THEIR UNION , 1981 .

[20]  J. Hackman,et al.  Development of the Job Diagnostic Survey , 1975 .

[21]  E. Langer.  The Psychology Of Control , 1983 .

[22]  Ramon J. Aldag,et al.  Measurement of perceived task characteristics. , 1981 .

[23]  J. K. White,et al.  Job Involvement, Values, Personal Background, Participation in Decision Making, and Job Attitudes , 1975 .

[24]  N. Nicholson.  A Theory of Work Role Transitions. , 1984 .

[25]  F. Drasgow,et al.  A Revision of the Job Diagnostic Survey: Elimination of a Measurement Artifact , 1987 .

[26]  L. Bailyn.  Autonomy in the industrial R&D lab , 1985 .

[27]  J. Breaugh,et al.  Further Examination of the Work Autonomy Scales: Three Studies , 1987 .

[28]  Hal G. Gueutal,et al.  An Empirical Derivation of the Dimensions Along Which Characteristics of Jobs are Perceived , 1985 .

[29]  M. Kiggundu,et al.  Task Interdependence and the Theory of Job Design , 1981 .

[30]  J. Farh,et al.  The experimental effects of "autonomy" on performance and self-reports of satisfaction. , 1983, Organizational behavior and human performance.

[31]  J. Long.  Confirmatory Factor Analysis , 1983 .

[32]  Challenges and Choices Facing American Labor. , 1984 .

[33]  R. Noe,et al.  A Meta-Analysis of the Relation of Job Characteristics to Job Satisfaction , 1985 .